EFCC Has Undermined 1999 Constitution, African Charter On Human And Peoples Rights – Patience Jonathan
Lawyer to former First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, Timipa Okponipere, Senior Partner of First Law Associates, has given the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, 14 days with effect from September 18, to defreeze her accounts and tender a public apology to her.
In an open letter to EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, urged the commission to leave Mrs. Jonathan alone, warning that if it refused to conform, “We shall file an action at the African Commission on Human Rights at the Gambia demanding N5 billion in exemplary and punitive damages.”
The lawyer said: “There is no established legal or political precedent for what the EFCC is currently doing to our client. How many former first ladies in Nigeria have received the Patience Goodluck Jonathan treatment, to have warranted the EFCC to have the effrontery to freeze our client’s accounts and subject her to public opprobrium, ridicule and disgrace? This nonsense must stop forthwith.
“Our client is a respected senior citizen of international repute, a retired Permanent Secretary and the immediate past First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Our client is a law-abiding citizen who has never, or at all, been the subject of any criminal and/or financial investigation, whether at home or abroad. Accordingly, she has not been found guilty of any criminal conduct throughout a sparkling public service career spanning over 35 years.
“During the five years our client served as first lady, she was the Initiator/Founder of the Aruera Women Foundation, as well as the Women for Change Initiative, both of which are non-governmental organisations, substantially contributed to the 35 per cent affirmative action for women in the country. Our client is the recipient of numerous local and international awards in recognition of her untiring commitment towards uplifting the living standard of women, children and the aged in Nigeria.
